The concept of dynamic capabilities, especially in terms of organizational knowledge processes, has become the predominant paradigm for the explanation of competitive advantages. However, major unsolved - or at least insufficiently solved - problems are first their measurement and second their management by concrete managerial options, such as design options of organizational structures. Dynamic Capabilities provides an integrated descriptive model of both dynamic capabilities and organizational structures that allows characterizing, classifying and a comparison. It develops a logic system of a multitude of combinatorial possibilities between their variables, and it develops a complex and integrated system of associated empirically based and qualitatively deduced hypotheses. Therewith, it serves as a terminological and analytical foundation for the identification of knowledge-based dynamic capabilities in organizations and for a targeted design of organizational structures that enable and foster dynamic capability processes such as knowledge transfer and knowledge absorption.

Dynamic capabilities describe the firms' capacity to adapt their resources with regard to external shifts in order to maintain or to even enlarge competitive advantage. In this essay the author pursues three research objectives regarding dynamic capabilities. First, based on a literature review the author states that no appropriate dynamic capability concept exists that enables an empirical investigation of dynamic capabilities across industries, however, argues that such an investigation is possible, and outlines a first step to do so. The second research objective is focused on the value of dynamic capabilities. Using real option knowledge the author is able to outline a simple mathematical model. The results show that the value of a firm is not only given by the expected value, generated by the firm's resources in place, but also by the firm's options to react to environmental changes. Besides other externally given factors - like market development - the application of dynamic capabilities in terms of time has consequences on the expected firm value. The third research objective deals with the basic challenge of ambidextrous firms to achieve an optimal balance of exploitative and explorative activities with regard to market developments. Again, using real option knowledge the author is able to demonstrate that there exist defined points in time until when to maintain, stress, taper off and finally stop exploitative and explorative activities. A further development of the model even enables the prediction of the value maximizing points in time.

Building on the seminal work of David Teece, Kathleen Eisenhardt, Jeffrey Martin, and others, this volume applies the concept of dynamic capabilities to help readers understand how organizations can be successful in highly dynamic environments. The contributions, written by researchers who participated in the research program "Dynamic Capabilities and Relationships" and international researchers who participated in the program’s international conference (both funded by the Dieter Schwarz Foundation), highlight state-of-the-art research on dynamic capabilities and relationships. They also put forward an integrated management approach for the purpose of understanding, analyzing, and managing the successful creation and adaptation of capabilities and relationships.

This book offers an analysis of how firms manage to reconfigure their pool of resources, to deal with the turbulent environments in which they are embedded, thus tackling the issue of how dynamic capabilities must be defined and conceptualized.

Logistics Social Responsibility (LSR) emerged as a concept to integrate sustainability throughout logistics-oriented processes in the supply chain. Hence, logistics services are linked to sustainability requirements. To meet these requirements, logistics service providers can respond to their responsibility by reducing the ecological and social impact in the supply chain. Moreover, it has been recognized that consumers also need to adapt to sustainability requirements: e.g., by supporting sustainable logistics strategies with their monetary “votes” or by changing their own consumption behavior. This “shared responsibility” requires mutual support and cooperation. Therefore, the core of this dissertation is that logistics service providers can further support sustainable development by facilitating more sustainable consumer choices. To enhance LSR activities, the link to the dynamic capabilities theory is investigated. Here, several capabilities have been identified through which managers can pool their knowledge and skills to generate new knowledge, solutions or resource configurations. Using these capabilities in a strategic manner, logistics service providers can purposefully change their business environment by forming new partnerships or changing existing relationships to gain from developing new business practices stressing sustainable purposes.

This book is about dynamic capabilities (DCs) in the context of the 21st century, in which global challenges seem to come from different quadrants. For instance, an environmental threat to the planet ́s sustainability, or technological advancements disrupting the traditional value chains call for new business models accompanying societal trends. Although the usual approach in dealing with these business models is from a competitiveness perspective, the editors of this book avoid it as the approach seems reductive of what the organizations are required to be aware of and cope with in the modern world only to their organizational ecosystems. The book offers a compilation of studies on dynamic capabilities covering both cognitive and non-cognitive DCs, according to the managerial and leadership aspects of technological capabilities. Each chapter obeys a certain order, within a particular category of DCs, and their reading along the book is telling a story, showing seminal DCs that a company cannot neglect in the current world. Their grouping also is structured in one way that one might be a preparatory reading for another. Researchers working on the dynamic capabilities approach will particularly benefit from the discussions provided within this book.

This book provides a knowledge-based view to the dynamic capabilities in an organization. The author integrates two existing views on gaining competitive advantage: the Knowledge View which suggests that the capability of organizations to learn faster than competitors is the only source of competitiveness; and the Dynamic Capability View which speculates that a firm’s competitive advantage rests on dynamic capabilities which enable a firm to constantly renew the stock of ordinary organizational capabilities in accordance with the changes in the business environment. Using the IT sector in India as a case study, this book provides and tests a new framework--Knowledge-Based Dynamic Capabilities—in the prediction of competitive advantage in organizations.

Eight years ago, the production management department ofthe WHU launched the industry competition ,Best Factory / Industrial Excellence Award' jointly with the media partner Wirtschaftswoche in Germany. Two years earlier, the competition had been initiated successfully by INSEAD faculty in France. Over the years, the joint research team experienced first-hand that application of Management Quality was a key driver ofcontinuous improvement along the firm's core business proc esses. Moreover, those companies that exhibited the highest improvement rates achieved mostly the best business results (compared to their industry bench marks). Andreas Enders accompanied us for five rounds of the competition as program manager for the German competition. His contributions - among others the launch ofour web site www. beste-fabrik. de - are greatly acknowledged by the academic advisory team. The fmdings ofthe industry competition greatly influenced this thesis on Man agement Competence. Initially, the main research question though was to provide a theoretic foundation and an empirical test for the seven-factor Management Quality model (as defined in our recent book on Industrial Excellence). Manage ment Quality consists of strategy formulation and deployment combined with delegation of tasks to workers and their participation. In addition, measurement, integration, communication and training complement the main levers. While there exist numerous studies on superior business performance and key success factors, there are few sound empirical studies available to date on operational performance and sustained business success.

Understanding Strategic Management is the ideal introduction to strategy for students who require a concise, informative and practical approach. The book's four-part structure defines the concept of strategy, before using the overarching strategic framework of analysis, formulation, andimplementation to show how strategy can be used to develop a sustainable competitive advantage in business.The author conveys the realities of strategic management through diverse, international and contemporary examples, while Strategy in Focus boxes use examples from popular media to show strategic management issues at work in the headlines we read every day. A longer, integrated case study in everychapter ties together multiple strategic challenges that affect businesses large and small, public and private. Review and discussion questions then encourage students to be critical of the material and juxtapose alternative concepts and frameworks to evaluate their strengths and weaknesses.Students may extend their learning with additional material available as part of the online resources. Written by the author to build seamlessly on the book, Extension Material is signposted from every chapter, providing further depth on a specific topic where required. Multiple choice questions arealso signposted at the end of every chapter, encouraging students to test their knowledge and understanding.The rounded approach, extensive examples, and additional resources make this book a balanced and accessible introduction for students taking their first steps into strategic management.The ebook offers a mobile experience and convenient access: www.oxfordtextbooks.co.uk/ebooksThe online resources include:For students:Internet exercisesGlossaryExtension materialWorking through strategyMultiple-choice questionsAdditional recommended resourcesFor lecturers:Bank of additional case studiesAdditional discussion questions and promptsTest bankFurther case materialAnswers to discussion questionsPowerPoint slidesFigures and tables from the book

Understanding Strategic Management is the ideal introduction to strategy for students in one-semester courses who require an informative yet practical approach. The book's four-part structure defines the concept of strategy before using the overarching strategic framework of analysis, formulation, and implementation to show how strategy can be used to develop a sustainable competitive advantage in business. Making use of chapter maps and learning objectives to guide students through the complexities of the subject, the author conveys the realities of strategic management through a diverse selection of international and contemporary examples. "Strategy in Focus" boxes use examples from popular media to show how strategic management issues appear in the headlines we read every day. A longer, integrated "Case Example" closes every chapter, tying in multiple strategic challenges that affect businesses of all kinds. Review and discussion questions then encourage students to be critical of the material and to evaluate its strengths and weaknesses. Students may extend their learning with additional material available in the online resources. Written by the author, Extension Material is broken up by chapter. Unique "Working through Strategy" materials give students opportunities to practice essential techniques such as PEST analysis and scenario planning. ONLINE RESOURCES For students: *Internet exercises *Glossary *Extension Material *Working through Strategy *Multiple-choice questions *Additional recommended resources For lecturers: *Test bank *Further case material *Answers to discussion questions *PowerPoint slides *Figures and tables from the book